Kathmandu to Delhi

Embark on an adventure through Nepal and India, from the rich wildlife of the Himalayan foothills, across to the sacred River Ganges, via the birthplace of Buddha. At key destinations between Kathmandu and Delhi witness pilgrims in Varanasi and visit the magnificent Taj Mahal of Agra. An adventure that will bring all your senses alive, this overland trip through Nepal and India is an incredible way to see the very best of the region.

Why you'll love this trip

Fall in love with Nepal, prayer flags and stupas in stunning Kathmandu

Discover how the Taj Mahal, one of the most recognisable buildings in the world, still has the power to surprise even the most experienced travellers

There's a chance to come face-to-face with rare black-horned rhinos in Chitwan National Park if you are lucky

Forget about setting an alarm, there’s only one way to wake up in this world and that’s with a sunrise sail along the Ganges

Experience the colour and chaos of Varanasi, and find tranquility and spirituality among the crowds

Is this trip right for you?

You must have an Indian visa in your passport prior to starting this trip. This trip crosses the Nepal-India border on Day 7. Indian e-visas are not valid for entering the country at land borders.

This trip involves travel on public transport and some long days of driving – Day 7: Lumbini to Varanasi (approximately 10 hours), an overnight train on Day 10: Varansi to Orchha (approximately 15 hours) – so some patience will go a long way towards your enjoyment here. Sit back, relax, watch the scenery go by, and embrace travelling vast distances.

Nepal and north India can get surprisingly cold in winter, please pack accordingly so you aren't caught out!

Long distance and overnight trains can often be delayed and occasionally cancelled due to heavy fog between Dec-Feb.

Gallery

Itinerary

Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. This adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1. Look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. At the meeting have your insurance details and next of kin information ready for collection. Step out into the streets of Kathmandu, whose mixture of ancient architecture and modern development, and rich artistic and cultural heritage, means it remains the legendary destination it has been for decades. Crowded markets and bazaars are the centre of Nepali life and the narrow streets are home to holy men, monks, bicycles, incense, goats and sacred cows.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

Kathmandu - Rickshaw Night Explorer Urban Adventure - USD68

Kathmandu - Kathmandu by Bike Urban Adventure - USD100

Kathmandu - In Focus: Cook in Kathmandu Urban Adventure - USD93

Kathmandu - In Focus: Handmade Kathmandu - USD93

Meals Included

Today you’ll head out to the Swayambhunath Temple, known to tourists as the Monkey Temple and Kathmandu's most important Buddhist shrine. The sleepy, all-seeing Buddha eyes that stare out from the top have become the quintessential symbol of Nepal. You’ll also join the pilgrims at Bodhnath Stupa – the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. It's the centre of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu and rich in Buddhist symbolism. Continue on to Pashupatinath – a Hindu temple on the banks of the Bagmati River in Deopatan, a village 3 km north-west of Kathmandu. It's dedicated to a manifestation of Shiva called Pashupati (Lord of Animals). There are also a number of optional activities to take advantage of including our varied Urban Adventures. Maybe take-off on a flight from Kathmandu airport to see some spectacular mountain scenery. Those who don't have the opportunity to go trekking can get panoramic views of the Himalayas in just an hour.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Kathmandu - Swayambhunath Temple

Kathmandu - Bodhnath Stupa

Kathmandu - Pashupatinath Temple

Optional Activities

Kathmandu - Early Morning Everest Scenic Flight - USD220

Meals Included

This morning you’ll travel by private vehicle to Chitwan National Park (approximately 6 hours), which sits at the base of the Himalayas. UNESCO declared the area a World Heritage site in 1984, and it offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Asia, with rhino, deer, monkeys and a wide array of bird life. Arrive and settle in to your accommodation before jumping on a bike to explore a local village. In the evening, prepare for tomorrow’s exploration of the park with a presentation on the park's history, flora and fauna.

Accommodation

Lodge (1 night)

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

Please be aware that due to safety concerns we have suspended all wildlife jungle walks within Chitwan National Park.

Today after breakfast, take a walk to the Rapti river from where you’ll be taken by boat to Ghagtai village (approximately 3.5 hours). Enjoy exploring the village full of friendly locals on foot and a picnic lunch. Brilliantly coloured bird abound along the Rapti river, which also shelters about a quarter of the world's remaining gharial population. This fish-eating crocodile has long been hunted for the supposed aphrodisiac qualities of its snout. Spend the night in a lodge with a view of the river in Ghagtai tonight. Your accommodation is simple with basic facilities, but plenty of jungle ambience. Toilet and bathroom facilities are shared.

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Chitwan - Canoe trip

Chitwan - Canoe safari, Bird Watching walk or Jeep safari

Meals Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Special Information

From October (to June) when jeep safaris resume you will boat part of the way before meeting drivers and touring the national park by vehicle (approximately 3-4 hours), finishing in Ghatgai in the late afternoon.

Today you’ll return to your lodge in Chitwan National Park via Twenty Thousand Lakes (Bis Hajaar Tal). Nepal’s second largest natural wetland, this beautiful reserve area is a maze of small lakes that teems with wildlife. Home to numerous crocodiles, this is one of the park’s best areas for birdwatching, with hundreds of species using it as a migratory route stop. If you’re lucky you might catch some more sights of the Indian rhino. Drop by the crocodile breeding centre on the way. Then there’ll be time to relax, or to take part in other optional activities offered by the park.

Accommodation

Lodge (1 night)

Included Activities

Chitwan - Crocodile breeding centre

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

While we respect each individual’s decisions while travelling, Intrepid does not include elephant rides or unnatural performance activities on any itinerary, and we recommend you bypass these activities should they be offered to you during your stay. Professional wildlife conservation and animal welfare organisations, including the World Animal Protection (formerly the World Society for protection of Animals) advise that contrary to common belief, captive elephants remain wild animals and despite good intentions, unfortunately many venues are unable to provide the appropriate living conditions elephants require and this ultimately impacts their well-being. While there is some merit in the argument that the money that you pay for the activity goes towards keeping the elephants and their mahouts employed, we know that it also fuels demand for elephants to be captured in the wild or captive bred. We thank you for your support in improving the welfare of these majestic creatures.

Leave Chitwan this morning for your final stop in Nepal. Travel by private vehicle to the Nepalese border town of Lumbini (approximately 5 hours). This is no ordinary border town, but the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, and one of his four holy places of pilgrimage. It's said in the Parinibbana Sutta that Buddha identified the sites as those of his birth, enlightenment, first discourse and death. You’ll visit the beautiful Ashoka Pillars and hop on cycle rickshaws to the Maya Devi Temple, the actual site where Lord Buddha is thought to have been born.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Lumbini - Heritage Park

Meals Included

Today it’s wave goodbye to Nepal and namaste to India as you cross the border. Though there’s always something to look at out the windows, it’s a good idea to have some other entertainment on hand for the long day of travelling ahead (approximately 8-10 hours by private vehicle including stops). You will cross at Sunauli and head for Varanasi. The change of scenery from Nepal to India is immediate. Enter Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, and be greeted by cows ambling along the highway. Varanasi is one of holiest cities in India and the ultimate destination for Hindu pilgrims who travel from far and wide to experience this spiritual city. Overflowing with temples, shrines and devotees, Varanasi might not be one of the world's cleanest cities but there’s no doubt it’s one of the most amazing.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

You must have an Indian visa in advance to cross the border. E-visas are not valid for land border crossings into India.

Today you’ll experience the sacred River Ganges, lifeblood of millions of Indian people, with a boat trip through the heart of India. Transfer by small riverboats for our sailing trip (approximately 2 hours). A support crew will be on hand as you sail down this iconic waterway, passing village communities and viewing river life as it goes on around you. The boats are equipped with life jackets, the deck has mattresses and cushions to relax on, and it’s all covered with a cloth roof for sun protection. Arrive at your campsite and relax riverside, read a book or play some cricket. Watch the sun go down and eat a delicious vegetarian meal prepared by the boatmen.

Accommodation

Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)

Optional Activities

River Ganges - Boat trip & camping - Free

Meals Included

Lunch

Dinner

Special Information

Tents are twin share with mattresses and blankets provided. It gets cold in winter, so a sleeping bag is recommended if travelling at this time. There is a squat toilet tent, and no showers available. Lunch, dinner and breakfast are provided during you time camping. Water and soft drinks are available to purchase, but no alcohol is allowed here, as the Ganges is a sacred place. Please note that due to high water levels on the River Ganges and the associated safety concerns, the boat trip won't operate during the monsoon or other times of heavy rainfall. Departures affected by such safety concerns will be communicated during the trip by your leader – it's difficult to know well in advance how much rain there's likely to be at any point in time. In these cases, an extra night will be spent in Varanasi including a visit to the temple complex of Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon.

After your Ganges camping adventures, sail back in to Varanasi. Then set off by cycle rickshaw to visit the oldest part of the city, bustling with tourists and priests, and see different rituals being performed. Wander through the Old City with its maze of narrow alleyways packed full of small shops and stalls, and lumbering cows. See pilgrims bathing and performing rituals and ceremonies unchanged for hundreds of years; temples full of bell chimes and the smell of incense; the dhobi wallahs and the burning ghats. There’s an option to take a trip to nearby Sarnath, one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. The site is where Buddha preached his message of the path to enlightenment and features a number of stupas and museums to explore. Or perhaps visit Ram Nagar Fort, a crumbling 17th century fort and palace on the eastern bank of the Ganges, that’s the ancestral home of the Maharaja of Banaras. This evening soak up the unique magical atmosphere of a candle flower ceremony as the sun sets.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Varanasi - Old City tour

Varanasi - Sunset candle ceremony

Optional Activities

Varanasi - Ram Nagar Fort - INR150

Varanasi - Sarnath day trip (entry only) - INR250

Meals Included

Today starts early with a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, where you can watch the light gradually illuminate the many ghats and temples along the river as you pass. The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you like. You can explore the laneways and alleys behind the ghats, picking up some examples of the excellent local silk industry, or perfecting yoga in this most chakra-balancing of places. This evening you’ll board an overnight train for Jhansi, the nearest junction to Orchha (approximately 15 hours).

Notes: Sleeper trains are usually comfortable and air-conditioned (sometimes fan-cooled), and are a great way to travel long distances and still get maximum time in each place. Most of the time sheets, pillow and blanket are provided but some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. Please note you may be sharing with locals in a same/mixed gender situation.

Accommodation

Overnight Sleeper Train (1 night)

Included Activities

Varanasi - Sunrise boat trip

Meals Included

Upon arrival in Jhansi, travel through traditional rural Indian landscapes to reach the beautiful town of Orchha on the banks of the Betwa River (approximately 45 minutes). Here you’ll have the opportunity to uncover a very different side of India. Initially a hunting area, Orchha has changed very little over the centuries. Despite its small size it is filled with many beautiful temples and palaces, built here in the 16th century by the ruling Bundelas clan. Here you'll explore the palaces and temples scattered across the peaceful countryside on a walk . This evening witness the Ram Raja Temple puja (prayer) ceremony at the shrine at the heart of the city. Our accommodation here is a comfortable permanent camp tent.

Accommodation

Permanent tent (1 night)

Included Activities

Orchha - Ram Raja Temple ceremony

Orchha - Orientation walk

Meals Included

After breakfast you will visit the stunning Orchha Palace, built by Bir Sing Deo for his friend Jehangir, the great Mughal ruler. Take note of the grand Iwans (domes) that were built large enough to allow the movement of war elephants. You’ll also make a stop at Taragram, one of our Responsible Tourism projects. Taragram is a paper making factory that enables local tribal women to work outside the realm usually afforded to them. The paper is crafted from wood pulp and recycled clothing. Tonight you’ll get a closer experience of local flavours at a cooking demonstration by our local friends.

Accommodation

Permanent tent (1 night)

Included Activities

Orchha - Orchha Palace

Orchha - Cooking demonstration

Orchha - Taragram visit

Meals Included

Travel to Agra by train (approximately 5 hours) and head straight to the most recognisable sight in India. It doesn’t matter who you are, the Taj Mahal will exceed all your expectations with the morning light shimmering off its white marble surface. Best known as a monument to love and loss, the 17th century Taj is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture, surrounded by trimmed English gardens. The highlights keep coming as you take a motorised rickshaw tour, a truly fun and Intrepid way to see the monuments of Agra. The city is also home to one of the finest looking forts in India. you’ll enter the dark red sandstone stronghold of Agra Fort - part fortress, part palace and part prison - and search through throne rooms and tiny but incredibly decorated mosques. Later, if you’ve got the energy, you can also visit Akbar's Mausoleum – a beautiful sandstone and marble tomb built for the greatest of the Mughal emperors. An amazing local social enterprise, Sheroes Hangout, an initiative by the Stop Acid Attacks campaign and staffed by survivors, is located about 10 mins walk from the Taj Mahal and is an excellent place to stop for a cold drink, coffee or light meal while you are here.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Agra - Taj Mahal

Agra - Agra Fort

Meals Included

It’s back on the rails today as you take an express train to India’s capital (approximately 4 hours), sharing the journey with locals as the chai wallahs make their way down the carriages. In Delhi, watch one of the world's greatest shows unfold as people, traffic, cows and kids all work together in a kind of organised chaos around historical sites from different eras, museums and galleries, shops and endless bazaars. This is the place to grab a chai, put your feet up and let it all soak in. Make a visit to the Jama Masjid, Delhi's oldest mosque and one of its most impressive buildings, or to the World Heritage-listed Mughal masterpiece of Humayun's Tomb, the first garden tomb in India, built in 1570. You could wonder at the tall brick minaret of Qutub Minar, which was started all back in the 12th century, or explore the mighty Red Fort of Delhi. Part palace and part fort, it played an integral part in the history of the city with former residents ranging from royal families to British soldiers.

Optional Activities

Delhi - Red Fort - INR500

Delhi - Humayun's Tomb - INR500

Delhi - Qutub Minar - INR500

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

Please note that due to train arrival times there may not be any free time in Delhi at the end of this tour. We strongly advise booking additional accommodation to extend your stay.

Your adventure through India and Nepal ends after breakfast this morning and you're free to leave the accommodation at any time. If you are staying on in Delhi a little bit longer an Urban Adventure is a perfect way to finish your time here.

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Important notes

1. A valid Indian visa is required prior to travel. This trip arrives into India overland from Nepal and e-visas are not valid at land borders.
2. A single supplement is available on this trip and is applicable for all nights with the exception the overnight train.
3. Please note that due to train arrival times there may not be any free time in Delhi at the end of this tour. We advise booking additional accommodation to extend your stay.
4. Using mud pack therapy the Archaeological Survey of India is planning to clean the four small canopies around the main dome of the Taj Mahal from the start of April 2018. This will be followed by the cleaning of the main dome but that could take some time as ASI is yet to calculate its load bearing capacity. The ASI’s science branch officials have stated that cleaning the four canopies will take approximately 2 months while main dome cleaning will be completed in phases. We will continue to update as information becomes available.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Reviews

Justin Gees

I can’t rate Intrepid enough. If I had to give any tips it would be “be patient” & always remember that you are a guest in the country your visiting, not everything happens like it does at home. Go into it with an open mind & always give your itinerary to loved ones as wifi isn’t always reliable.